Week 12 Task Sheet - Acute Disc Injury

Question 1

How are mixed spinal nerves named in the different regions?

Answer 1

Above the vertebrae in Cx spine
o With C8 below the C7 vertebrae
Below the vertebrae in the rest of the spine

Question 2

What do the dorsal rami supply?

Answer 2

Deep trunk muscles and skin of posterior trunk

Question 3

What do the ventral rami supply?

Answer 3

The muscles and structures of the Ul and LL

Question 4

Why does sitting increase pain following disc herniation?

Answer 4

Sitting increases flexion:
Increases torsion of the mixed spinal nerve

Compresses the anterior IV disc - which creeps backwards further into the IV space

Question 5

Why does lifting and sneezing increase pain following disc herniation?

Answer 5

Increases intraabdominal pressure causes increased intradiscal pressure - forcing the NP backwards

Question 6

Why does pain increase at the end of day following disc herniation?

Answer 6

Spending time upright - increases compressive forces on IVD disc - causing NP material to herniate further and increase irritation of nerve root

Question 7

Why does sleeping on the opposite side as the pain help when there is disc herniation?

Answer 7

Opens up the facet joints causing increased space in IV foramen and reducing nerve root compression

Also unloads the disc so NP can creep back more centrally

Question 8

Why do patients with disc degeneration shift their posture away from side of herniation?

Answer 8

decreases pressure on the disc and opens the IV foramen on affected side to decrease nerve compression